Ontario Wildfire Smoke Drove Asthma ER Visits Up in 2023

A new report published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that Ontario’s 2023 wildfire season caused a sharp rise in asthma-related emergency room visits. The research is based on health data collected during and after two major smoke events in June 2023, when thick wildfire smoke covered large areas of the province.

During these smoke events, emergency departments across Ontario saw a surge in visits for asthma. Data showed that daily asthma-related visits jumped by 23.6% one day after the first smoke episode in early June. This spike continued for up to five days. Later in the month, another wave of wildfire smoke again triggered a rise in emergency visits.

Children were especially affected. Asthma-related hospital visits among them increased by 40%. Adults also faced higher health risks, with a 48% rise in asthma-related visits that lasted for about a week. These numbers suggest that wildfire smoke has serious short-term health effects, especially on people with asthma.

Researchers gathered this information using Ontario’s real-time health monitoring system and national ambulatory care data. They studied asthma, other respiratory conditions, heart-related issues, and non-respiratory visits. The largest increases were clearly tied to asthma cases.

Scientists used time-based analysis methods to understand how wildfire smoke affected emergency visits. They looked at both the timing and the health impact of exposure, finding that smoke-related effects show up quickly after a smoke event and may last for days.

The report also highlights the need for more research. Although the data clearly shows a link between wildfire smoke and emergency visits, experts say there is still much to learn. For example, we need to better understand why adults were affected longer than children and how different age groups respond to smoke exposure.

The report warns that wildfires are becoming one of the fastest-growing environmental health threats worldwide. The 2023 wildfire season in Canada was the worst on record. Smoke from Canadian fires drifted across the country and even reached cities in the United States, causing some of the world’s worst air quality levels at the time.

Ontario was hit hard. Cities like Toronto and Ottawa experienced days of poor air quality. During those days, many people with breathing issues were told to stay indoors. For people with asthma, wildfire smoke is especially dangerous because it can quickly trigger symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.

Public health officials recommend taking steps to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke. These include staying indoors when air quality is poor, using air filters at home, and keeping medications close. Governments are also urged to send out early warnings and improve air quality in public places like schools and hospitals.

As wildfires continue to increase due to climate change, experts agree that protecting public health must be a top priority. Emergency departments must be prepared. Communities should have plans in place. And more research should be done to protect people who are most at risk.

The link between wildfire smoke and asthma-related emergencies is clear. What remains to be done is finding ways to reduce this risk and better protect people when the air turns smoky. With more fires likely in the future, the lessons learned from Ontario’s 2023 wildfire season are more important than ever.